Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 productions in response to platelet-activating factor in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release in response to platelet-activating factor (PAF) induction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers.

Methods: Subjects were grouped into three subgroups. The mean age was 37 +/- 10 years.

Evaluation of Brucella dipstick assay for the diagnosis of acute brucellosis.

The diagnostic value of the dipstick assay was evaluated by comparison with Rose Bengal (RB), serum aglutination tests (SAT) and 2 mercaptoethanol test (2-ME) on consecutive serum samples submitted because of suspicion of brucellosis. Serum samples of 232 patients with suspected brucellosis that were submitted for laboratory confirmation were included in the study. Twelve out of 232 serum samples were detected as positive with the dipstick assay.